Machu Picchu Family Trip
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on February 8, 2022 by James Bustamante
Taking a Machu Picchu family trip with the kids is often difficult to plan and impractical for most parents. The Machu Picchu hike and the destinations surrounding the Inca citadel make families think they should hold over until the kids reach a more mature age.
In all honesty, once you can get past the critical planning that should take place, a Machu Picchu family trip with the kids is not as difficult as it seems. We have families traveling to the Inca stronghold almost daily, and it always ends up being an incredible experience for the entire crew.
Why Take a Machu Picchu Family Trip?
Many Families dream of taking a trip to an exotic destination together. Peru’s important aspect in this situation is the well-built infrastructure to accommodate such a trip. From frequent domestic flights to accommodations, land transportation, trains, and tracks built simply for tourism to well-equipped and trained staff. Peru has all you need in an exotic and mainly safe destination to bring the entire family along.
There are also several tours and hiking activities in Machu Picchu that are great for families. Some examples are the base tour of the complex and the hike to the Inca bridge.
What Are The Best Options For a Family Trip To Machu Picchu?
There are many ways for a family to reach Machu Picchu; however, if you are traveling with young children, we suggest the more conventional methods of travel. You can even choose the best times to visit Machu Picchu. Several options can accommodate how early your kids or the rest of your family likes to wake up in the morning (or the afternoon).
The best option for a Machu Picchu family trip is a private tour. Since your group will, on average, be 3+ people, it will be the most economical option. The larger your group, the cheaper it will be to go with a private tour and have your personal guide.
The best option to reach Aguas Calientes and then Machu Picchu is by train from the Ollantaytambo station. However, the easiest way is to have private transport pick you up at your hotel in Cusco and drive you to the station, located just an hour and a half away.
We recommend taking the vistadome train to Aguas Calientes for families with children. It is more spacious than the expedition version of the train, more comfortable, has a better meal, and even includes a show during the ride to Aguas Calientes. The 180-degree view of the surrounding landscapes only available on the vistadome also adds a certain level of amazement that will impress children and adults.
Family Trips To The Sacred Valley
A good recommendation is to spend time in the Sacred Valley, at least a couple of days. The Valley is located at a slightly lower elevation than Cusco, making it great to acclimate with children. The effects of the high altitude are still present, but they won’t be as prevalent as in Cusco. The beautiful views from the Sacred Valley are sure to please just about everyone in the family. During your time spent in the Sacred Valley, you can also visit other attractive sites like Maras and Moray or Inca towns and ruins you can explore like Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Chincheros, and several more.
Getting to Machu Picchu For Families
Once your entire group has had enough time to acclimate to the elevation, you’re on your way to starting the Machu Picchu journey. If you are traveling with teens or young adults, you might want to try one of the multi-day hikes like the four-day Inca trail. If your Machu Picchu family trip consists of young children, we go back to the original train travel plan to Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu By Bus With Children
Once you leave the train station in Aguas Calientes, you’ll take a short 10-minute walk to the bus station. This is, of course, assuming you are taking a one-day trip and not spending the night in Aguas Calientes.
After arriving at the bus station, you can make a line and wait for the next available shuttle up the mountain. The entire system is very well organized, with buses leaving every few minutes. If you decided to travel on your own instead of through a travel operator, then make sure to purchase tickets at the kiosk by the bus station. You’ll need to present your passport to buy bus tickets, so remember to have the entire family’s paperwork on hand.
The bus ride is 20 to 25 minutes, depending on weather and road conditions. As we move up the mountain, you’ll have a chance to see truly spectacular views of the surrounding towns and mountains.
Getting Lunch At The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge
Depending on the schedule, you can go to the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge for lunch before or after your Machu Picchu family tour. I prefer to do this afterward, though. Once you finish the hiking portion, you can have a nice filling meal. Hiking on a full stomach might not be the best choice for most people in high elevations.
The lodge is the only place to grab a bite to eat on the mountain, so for most people, it’s a no-brainer. The Sanctuary Lodge restaurant is called The Tinukey, and it serves food buffet style, so try the various dishes. In addition, there are several restaurants back in Aguas Calientes if you prefer to get a meal while you wait for your return train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.
Activities For Kids In Machu Picchu
If you are traveling to Machu Picchu and your family includes young children, you’ll want to make sure they are well entertained. Some areas in the complex might be more interesting for children than others. Once your tickets are stamped, you can begin the tour and check for specific landmarks.
You can see right near the entrance plaques that specify when Hiram Bingham re-discovered the Machu Picchu complex. Remember that locals already knew about Machu Picchu way before the official Hiram Bingham expedition. Locals lived near the complex, farmed, and mined as well.
The expedition was actually guided up the mountain by a young local farmer.
Make sure to go through each area in the sanctuary. Start with the temple of the sun, the temple of the condor, and the temple of the three windows. The Machu Picchu mirrors are particularly interesting for children as well.
Exploring The Machu Picchu Ruins For Families
Ar we proceed with the tour, we begin to work out a way to the upper portions of the Machu Picchu ruins. This can be quite a challenge; Machu Picchu is located in the cloud forest. This terrain is where the Andes meet the rainforest, so you are at a high elevation and meet increased humidity levels.
The upper floors give off spectacular views of the ruins below. In the background, you’ll see an impressive precipice surrounded by lush, green mountains. Make sure to hold onto the railing as you walk past the steep cliffy areas in the complex.
Wildlife At The Machu Picchu Sanctuary
Families with young children, in particular, will enjoy watching some of the local wildlife in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. So what are some of the species they’ll get to see in the complex?
The Llamas are always the #1 requested animal in Machu Picchu. Children and adults look forward to seeing these Andean camelids walking around freely in the Inca city. You can usually find them in the upper sections of the sanctuary; remember that llamas are generally shy around humans.
Have you ever heard of Viscachas? These tiny rodents can be found going around Machu Picchu. They look like a mix of a rabbit and a guinea pig. There are also several species of birds flying around. From unique hummingbirds only found in this part of the world to birds of prey soaring up above.
Tips For A Machu Picchu Family Trip
The hardest part for most families is planning; however, don’t let this turn into a more significant issue than it has to be. Peru as a destination is very family-friendly easily offers plenty of places and activities for everyone n the group. Remember the following tips, and you should be fine.
- Enjoy the train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. It is one of the most beautiful train rides on earth. The ride back is also nice, but you’ll most likely return in the evening once the sun has gone down.
- If you are terrified to get altitude sickness leave Cusco as soon as possible and acclimate at a lower elevation in the Sacred Valley.
- The train companies will let children between 0-2 years of age to travel for free. You will have to show proof of age with their passport, though.
- Machu Picchu tickets need to be booked in advance as well as your tour guide. This is easily done through an agency, but if you prefer to do it on your own, you’ll have to find a tour guide outside the main Machu Picchu entrance.
- The buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu leave every 15 minutes and run until the late afternoon.
- You should be able to get through most of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary in under 3.5 hours, even if you are traveling with children.
- There are no bathrooms within Machu Picchu for public access. The closes toilets are at the main gate entrance.
- Remember to stay hydrated during the Machu Picchu hike.
- If you want to climb the Machu Picchu mountain hike or the Huayna Picchu hike, you’ll have to book those tickets separately and 30 days in advance. It is by no means an easy hike, and it is not recommended for children.
Conclusion
Planning a Machu Picchu family trip can be a challenge. Still, with the proper guidance and the right operational team in Peru, it can be one of the most enjoyable vacations ever. Contact our travel advisors today to help you organize your next family trip to Peru!
Cover Photo Timon Studler
